Self-propelling,trench shoring device

ABSTRACT

A SELF-PROPELLING, TRENCH SHORTING DEVICE FOR SHORING THE SIDES OF AN EXCAVATED TRENCH WHILE LAYING PIPE THEREIN AND WHICH MOVES FORWARD TO THE NEXT EXCAVATED SECTION AS THE PREVIOUS SECTION IS COMPLETED HAVING A FRAME MEMBER, A PAIR OF SIDE PANELS MOVABLE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE FRAME MEMBER AND MEANS FOR MOVING THE SIDE PANELS BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEN THEY ARE CLOSE TO THE FRAME MEMBER AND A SECOND POSITION WHEN THEY ARE SPACED FROM THE FRAME MEMBER AND PRESSURE IS EXERTED ON THE SIDES OF THE EXCAVATED TRENCH TO SUPPORT THE SAME, A LONGITUDINAL MEMBER MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEN ITS LONGITUDINAL DIMENSION IS SUBSTANTIALLY COINCIDENT WITH THE FRAME AND A SECOND POSITION WHEN IT IS REARWARD OF THE FRAME, THE LONGITUDINAL MEMBER BEING MOVED TO THE SECOND POSITION WHILE THE SIDE PANELS ARE IN THE SECOND POSITION TO MOVE THE FRAME TO THE NEXT EXCAVATED SECTION, THE SIDE PANELS BEING MOVED TO THE FIRST POSITION AND THE LONGITUDINAL MEMBER BEING MOVED FORWARD SO THAT IT IS IN THE FIRST POSITION PREPARATORY TO MOVING THE SIDE PANELS TO THE SECOND POSITION IN THE NEXT EXCAVATED SECTION, THE FRAME BEING PROVIDED AT ITS FRONT WITH A PAIR OF VERTICAL STEERING VANES AND A LATERAL STEERING VANE FOR AIDING IN THE POSITIONING OF THE DEVICE AS IT MOVES FROM SECTION TO SECTION.

Sept- 23 1971 M, P. QUITADAMO, JR 3,503,319

SELF PROPELLING, V TRENCH SHORING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 25. 1970 Iml" im" 4.1m"

INV EN'T'CIFEI ATTO R EHS fr? q v MATTHEW F? Qu\TnDnMo,JR.

SBPL 28 1971 M. P. QUITADAMO, JR 3,603,319

SELF PROPELLING, TRENCH SHORING DEVICE Filed-Aug. 25. 1970 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN-roR MATTHEW P QUITQDAMQJR Sept. 28, 1971 M. P. QUITADAMQ, JR 3,303,319

SELF PROPELLING, TRENCH SHORING DEVICE Filed Aug., 25, 1970 s sheets-sheet s ,/f//l' u;

ATTOR evs Sept. 28, 1971 M. P. QUITADAMO, JR 3,503,319

SELF PROPELLING, TRENCH SHORING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 25. 1970 mvaNToR MATTHEW P Qurmonmo :rr-roem vs MIMI.

52M 23, 1973 M. P. QUITADAMO, JR 3,503,319

SELF PROPELLING, TRENCH SHORING DEVICE Filed Aug. 25. 1970 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ticrll.

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QTTORNE s SBP 23 19711 M. P. QUITADAMO, JR 3,503,319

SELF PROPELLING, 'FRENCH SHORING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 25. 1970 V' Wm A @mi V EET NvEN-roR MATTHEW E' Qurmonmo, JR. EN Z United States Patent Office 3,608,319 Patented Sept. 28, 1971 3,608,319 SELF-PROPELLING, TRENCH SHORING DEVICE Matthew P. Quitadamo, Jr., 81 Grand Ave., Englewood, NJ. 07631V Filed Aug. 25, 1970, Ser. No. 66,829 Int. Cl. E21d 5/00 U.S. Cl. 61--41A 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE A self-propelling, trench shoring device for shoring the sides of an excavated trench while laying pipe therein and which moves forward to the next excavated section as the previous section is completed having a frame member, a pair of side panels movable toward and away from the frame member and means for moving the side panels between a first position when they are close to the frame member and a second position when they are spaced from the frame member and pressure is exerted on the sides of the excavated trench to support the same, a longitudinal member movable between a rst position when its longitudinal dimension is substantially coincident with the frame and a second position when it is rearward of the frame, the longitudinal member being moved to the second position while the side panels are in the second position to move the frame to the next excavated section; the side panels being moved to the first position and the longitudinal member being moved forward so that it is in the first position preparatory to moving the side panels to the second position in the next excavated section, the frame being provided at its front with a pair of vertical steering vanes and a lateral steering 'vane for aiding in the positioning of the device as it moves from section to section.

The invention relates to self propelling, trench shoring devices which are used to support the sides of a section of an excavated trench while pipe is being laid therein and which may then move forward to the adjacent newly excavated section of the trench to continue the process until the pipe laying in the trench is completed.

There have been prior art trench shoring devices which are partially self propelled and which have the same general objects as those of the instant invention. However, these prior art units were not inherently easy to use and were rather elaborate in construction.

Broadly, the device of the invention comprises a frame, -a pair of side panels movable with respect to the frame between a first position in which the side panels are close to the frame and a second position in which the side panels are moved away from the frame to support the walls of the excavated trench, a longitudinal member movable with respect to the frame between a first position in which the longitudinal member is close to the frame and a second position in which it is extended rearward of the frame, the front of the frame being provided with a pair of oppositely spaced, movable vertical vanes and a movable, lateral vane.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the invention to provide such a self propelling, trench shoring device which is operated by first moving the side panels out against the walls of the excavated trench section to support the sides of the excavated trench under hydraulic pressure, then moving the frame forward against the force due to the pressure of the side panels against the walls, then retracting the side panels toward the frame and moving the longitudinal member and side panels forward toward the frame member due to the greater mass of the frame as compared to that of the longitudinal member and side panels combined.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device wherein there are a pair of oppositely spaced vertical vanes and a lateral vane aixed to the front of the frame to assist in controlling the direction of forward motion of the unit.

These and other objects, advantages, features and uses will be apparent as this description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying iigures wherein:

FIG. l is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the shoring device of the invention in the retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken in the direction of arrow 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 with the longitudinal member moved rearward with respect to the frame and the side panels moved outward with respect to the frame;

FIG. 6 is a sectional View taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. l, viewed in the direction of the arrows and showing a pair of the pistons used to control the position of the longitudinal member with respect to the frame;

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of the device of FIG. l;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 8-8 of FIG. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 9 9 of FIG. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on lines 10-10 of FIG. l, viewed in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the various positions of the elements of the trench shoring device of the invention during the operation of laying pipe in an excavated trench;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the lines 12-12 of FIG. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the front end of the device of FIG. 1 showing the lateral vane in its up or closed position.

In the drawings, wherein, for the purpose of illustration, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 20 designates a self propelling, trench shoring device of the invention. Device 20 is seen to comprise a frame member 22, a pair of side panels 24 and a movable longitudinal member 26. A pair of vertical vanes 28 are mounted at the front of frame 22, one at each vertical edge and are pivotable outwardly and inwardly with respect to the sides of the frame 22. A lateral vane 30 is mounted to the lower lateral edge of the frame 22 and is pivotable between positions in which it extends forward of the frame and a position in which it is substantially vertical and closes a portion of the front of the frame.

Preferably, the movements of the various elements of device 20 with respect to each other are controlled by hydraulic cylinders which are fed from a hydraulic source 32. Each hydraulic cylinder is controlled from hydraulic controls 34. Hydraulic source 32 and hydraulic controls 34 are not a part of the invention and are, therefore, shown schematically. Any source and set of controls which are standard in the art may be used in carrying out the teachings of the invention.

In FIG. 5, there is shown a plan view of the trench shoring device of the invention with the side panels 24 moved out (away from frame 22) and longitudinal member 26 moved rearward of frame 22 (or, put another way, frame 22 has moved forward of longitudinal member 26). The movement of frame 22 and longitudinal member 26 with respect to each other is accomplished by means of hydraulic cylinder-pistons 36. There are two such cylinderpistons 36 on each side of the device. One end of the cylinder-piston 36 is afiixed to the frame as shown at 38 and the other end is affixed to the side panel 24 as shown at 40.

The exploded, perspective view of FIG. 7 shows the relationship of the elements of shoring device 20 to each other (the motion inducing means are now shown). Longitudinal member 26 comprises lateral tubes 42 joined by plate 46 and longitudinal tubes 50. Each side panel 24 comprises plate 52, slotted as shown at 54, rear tubes 56 and forward tubes 58. The rear tubes 56 slide within tubes 42 and the forward tubes 58 slide within tubes 44. Tubes 44 are joined by plate 48 and they remain in position because the tubes 44 are in engagement with tubes 58.

Plates 60 of frame 22 are slotted as shown at 62 to permit movement of the frame and longitudinal member 26 with respect to each other. Tubes 50 move within tubes 64 to further permit relative movement of the frame and longitudinal member. Rear lateral brace 66 serves to prevent torsional distortion of the assembly.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the rear of device 20 with the side panels 24 in their first position (close to frame 22). It is seen that tubes 56 are nested within tubes 42 and there is a hydraulic cylinder-piston 68 mounted within each of the tubes 56. One end of each such hydraulic cylinder-piston 68 is affixed to its associated tube 42 as shown at 70 and the other end is affixed to side panel 24 as shown at 74, preferably close to a reinforcing H-beam 72.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the front of device 20 with the side panels 24 in their first position. Tubes 58 are nested within tubes 44 and a hydraulic cylinder-piston 76 is mounted inside each tube 58 and one end thereof is affixed to tube `58 as shown at 78 and the other end thereof is aliixed to a side panel 24 as shown at 80.

Thus, from FIGS. 8 and 9, it can be seen that as uid is introduced into each of the hydraulic cylinders, its piston is moved out and the side panels 24 are moved outwardly with respect to frame 22. Conversely, when the fluid is vented, the spring bias of the piston causes the side panels 24 to be drawn toward frame 22. It is within the contemplation of the invention to use other motion inducing means so long as the side panels 24 may be moved toward and away from frame 22 on command.

FIGS. 10 and 13 show the two positions of lateral vane 30 and the motion-inducing controls for it and vertical vanes 28. Vane 30 comprises plate 82 with upstanding ears 81 and hydraulic cylinder-pistons 86 connected to side panels 60 at 88 and the ears 81 at 92. The movement of the pistons moves the linkage points 92 in curved or radial slots 90 between the positions of FIGS. 10 and 13. Plate 82 is adapted to secure the leading end of frame 22 to prevent distortion as does rear lateral brace 66. Plate 82 pivots around shaft 94 so that when the pistons are extended, the plate 82 is in the position of FIG. 10 and when the pistons are retracted, the plate is in the position shown in FIG. 13.

Each vane 28 is pivoted inwardly and outwardly with respect to frame 22 and is hinged to forward vertical edge 96. Preferably, hydraulic cylinder-pistons 98 are used to move each vane. One end of each cylinder-piston is affixed to side 60 of frame 22 as shown at =100 and the other end is afiixed to plate 102 of vane 28 as shown at 104.

FIG. 11 illustrates the operation of the trench shoring device of the invention. In FIG. 11A, the device 20 has been placed in an excavated section 19 of a trench 17. The side panels 24 are in their first position (close to frame 22 and longitudinal member 26). The reference marks 1S indicate the extreme front of side panels 24. Next (FIG. 11B), the side panels 24 are urged outward in the direction of the sides of the trench (as shown by the arrows) until they are in firm contact and pressure is exerted to support the sides of the trench.

Now, the pipe is laid inside the frame, below the longitudinal member, set to grade and the section is back filled to prevent collapse of the sides of the trench. Simultaneously, Iwith all or a part of the foregoing procedure, section 21, which is forward of section 19, has been excavated. The hydraulic cylinder-pistons 36 (FIG. 5) are actuated so as to push frame 22 forward (in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 11C) with respect to side panels 24 and longitudinal member 26 to the position shown in FIG. 11C. The frame 22 moves forward because the force due to the pressure of side panels 24 on the sides of the excavation is greater than the force due to the mass of frame 22. While moving forward, the vaues 28 and 30'are positioned so that they serve to steer the frame to the desired position.

Now (FIG. 11D), the side panels 24 are moved in the direction of the arrows so that the side panels 24 are close to frame 22. Next, hydraulic cylinder-pistons 36 are deactuated so that the pistons are drawn into the cylinders and the side panels 24 and longitudinal member 26 move forward in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 11E and the device assumes the position of FIG. 11E. This forward movement is assured because the mass of frame 22 is much greater than the combined mass of longitudinal member 26 and side panels 24. It is seen that FIG. 11E is the same as FIG. 11A and that the procedure is ready to -be repeated.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A self propelled, trench shoring device for shoring the sides of an excavated trench while work is done in the trench and which moves forward to a newly excavated section of the trench when work in the previous section is completed comprising:

a frame whose longitudinal dimension is greater than its lateral dimension; pair of side panels mounted to the frame with one panel on each side of the frame movable between a first position in which the side panels are close to the frame and a second position in which the side panels are spaced from the frame; longitudinal member having a mass combined with that of the side panels much smaller than the mass of the frame mounted to the frame, the frame and longitudinal member being movable with respect to each other between a first position in which the longitudinal dimension of the longitudinal member is substantially coincident with the longitudinal dimension of the frame and a second position in which the longitudinal member is rearward of the frame; means for moving each of the side panels between its first position and its second position so that pressure is exerted against the sides of the trench in the second position and the side panels are out of contact with the sides of the trench in the first position;

means for moving the longitudinal member between its first position and its second position so that the frame moves forward to the newly excavated section when the side panels are in their second position and the longitudinal member and the frame are moved from their first position to their second position; and

upon moving the side panels to their first position, the longitudinal member may be moved to its first position thereby effectively moving the device to the newly excavated section.

2. The invention of claim 1 including:

at least one vertical vane mounted on one of the front vertical edges of the frame and pivoted with respect thereto;

means for pivoting the vertical vane outwardly and inwardly with respect to the lateral dimension of the device.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein there are two such vertical vanes, one on each front, vertical edge of the frame and two such pivoting means, one associated with each vertical vane.

4. The invention of claim 3 including:

a lateral vane mounted at the front, lower, lateral edge of the frame and pivotable with respect thereto between positions in which it extends forward of the frame and a position in which it is vertical and closes a portion of the front of the frame;

means for pivoting the lateral vane.

5. 'I'he invention of claim 2 including:

a lateral vane mounted at the front, lower, lateral edge of the frame and pivotable with respect thereto between positions in which it extends forward of the 20 frame and a position in which it is vertical and closes a portion of the front of the frame; means for pivoting the lateral vane.

DENNIS L.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/ 1959 Everson 6141A 5/1963 Torti 61-41A 10/ 1969 Torti 61-41A 11/ 1969 Morrice 61-41A TAYLOR, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.'R. 

